English Language
Literary Analysis
4,216 Questions
Analyze classic and modernist novels, autobiographies, plays, and graphic novels across various genres. This topic tests your familiarity with prominent authors, literary movements, and thematic elements. Questions appear regularly in the English language sections of SSC, banking, and teaching competency exams.
Classic and modernist novelsAutobiographies and biographiesPoetic language and farcesThematic literary elements
Literary Analysis Questions
Which Esperanto play is based on the novel The Great Gatsby?
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La Granda Gatsby
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La Unua Libro
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La Historio de Esperanto
A
Correct answer
Explanation
La Granda Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and was first performed in Esperanto in 2012.
Which of the following is an example of a fictional world that has had a significant impact on popular culture?
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The world of Star Wars
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The world of Marvel Comics
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The world of Harry Potter
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
All of these fictional worlds have had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring countless works of art, music, and literature.
Which of the following is an example of a fictional world that is inspired by the real world?
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The world of Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist"
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The world of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice"
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The world of Mark Twain's "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer"
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All of the above
D
Correct answer
Explanation
All of these fictional worlds are inspired by the real world, as they are set in real places and time periods and deal with real-world issues.
What is the mood of the short story "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson?
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Joyful
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Hopeful
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Ominous
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Peaceful
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is set in a small town where the annual lottery is held. The mood of the story is ominous because the reader knows that someone is going to be chosen to be stoned to death.
What is the mood of the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?
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Joyful
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Hopeful
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Romantic
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Nostalgic
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a young couple who are struggling to make ends meet. They both want to buy each other Christmas presents, but they don't have any money. The mood of the story is romantic because the couple's love for each other is evident.
What is the tone of the short story "The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant?
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Humorous
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Sarcastic
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Tragic
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Ironic
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a woman who borrows a necklace from a friend to wear to a party. She loses the necklace, and she and her husband have to work for years to pay for a replacement. The tone of the story is ironic because the woman ends up losing more than she gained by borrowing the necklace.
What is the mood of the short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman?
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Joyful
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Hopeful
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Ominous
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Depressing
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a woman who is suffering from postpartum depression. She is confined to her room by her husband, and she begins to see strange things in the wallpaper. The mood of the story is depressing because the woman's mental state is deteriorating.
What is the tone of the short story "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin?
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Joyful
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Hopeful
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Romantic
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Tragic
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a woman who learns that her husband has died. She is initially grief-stricken, but she then begins to feel a sense of freedom. The tone of the story is tragic because the woman's happiness is short-lived.
What is the tone of the short story "Hills Like White Elephants" by Ernest Hemingway?
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Humorous
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Sarcastic
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Tragic
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Ironic
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a man and a woman who are discussing the woman's pregnancy. The man wants her to have an abortion, but she is hesitant. The tone of the story is ironic because the man and the woman are talking about something that is very serious, but they are doing it in a very casual way.
What is the mood of the short story "The Garden Party" by Katherine Mansfield?
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Joyful
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Hopeful
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Nostalgic
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Bittersweet
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a young woman who is attending a garden party. She is initially excited about the party, but she then begins to feel disillusioned. The mood of the story is bittersweet because the woman is both happy and sad. She is happy to be at the party, but she is also aware that it is a superficial event.
What is the tone of the short story "The Night Oak Street Burned Down" by Thomas Wolfe?
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Humorous
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Sarcastic
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Tragic
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Nostalgic
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a young boy who witnesses a fire that destroys his neighborhood. The tone of the story is nostalgic because the boy is remembering a time when he was happy and carefree.
What is the tone of the short story "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien?
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Humorous
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Sarcastic
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Tragic
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Ironic
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a group of soldiers who are fighting in the Vietnam War. The tone of the story is ironic because the soldiers are fighting for a cause that they don't believe in.
What is the mood of the short story "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan?
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Joyful
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Hopeful
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Nostalgic
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Bittersweet
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a group of Chinese women who meet regularly to play mahjong and tell stories. The mood of the story is bittersweet because the women are both happy and sad. They are happy to be together, but they are also aware that their lives are changing.
What is the tone of the short story "The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros?
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Humorous
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Sarcastic
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Tragic
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Nostalgic
D
Correct answer
Explanation
The story is about a young Latina girl who is growing up in a poor neighborhood. The tone of the story is nostalgic because the girl is remembering a time when she was happy and carefree.
Which biography by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins chronicles the life of Mother Teresa?
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Something Beautiful for God
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City of Joy
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Freedom at Midnight
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The White Tiger
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins' biography, "Something Beautiful for God," tells the inspiring story of Mother Teresa's life and her tireless work with the poor and destitute.